How comfortable are you with staying silent during important discussions? Are you the type of person who listens well and only speaks after serious thought? Or, do you not know when to keep quiet and, as a result, you constantly interrupt or say the wrong thing at the wrong time? The problem for those who don’t employ a bit of silence during heated or important discussions is that you can never take back something you blurt out without thought or say in the heat of battle.

My message today revolves around the importance of appropriate silence at critical moments of verbal exchange with friends and loved ones. The art of listening is just as important as the art of speaking when it comes to interacting with people. In short, maintaining your composure and knowing when to stay quiet at these tenuous moments enhances communication, respect and understanding. Therein lies the wisdom of silence.